Parks
Avonmore Canoe Launch
Avonmore, PA 15618
Phone: 724-388-2123
The Avonmore Canoe Launch provides a canoe launch that has public access to the Kiskiminetas River. Their park area includes pavilion with electric, bathroom facilities and fishing area.Blue Spruce Park
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
Indiana County established this park in 1966. The dam, known as Cummins Dam, was constructed in 1908 and enlarged in 1912. The park acreage totals 650 acres and features two playgrounds, a volleyball court, horseshoe court, areas for games and sports and a 12-acre lake stocked with trout. In addition, Blue Spruce Park has four pavilions and two lodges available for public rental. The park also contains six miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails. Located within the park is the Indiana County Master Gardener's Trial Garden where visitors can view the latest floral and plant selections from the Penn State Gardener's Select program. Blue Spruce Park is a premier bird watching spot and portions of the park are open to hunting. Also, noteworthy, an historical marker honoring Bernice Gera, a native of nearby Ernest, PA, is located in the park. Gera was the first female umpire to work in a professional baseball league.
Buttermilk Falls Natural Area
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
This site features an impressive 45 foot waterfall and scenic woodland. The 48-acre natural area was donated to Indiana County Parks in 1995 by the Keystone-Conemaugh Group, owners of the nearby Conemaugh Generating Station. As a natural area, the site has been set aside to protect both typical and unique plant and animal communities and to protect outstanding examples of natural beauty.
Between 1931 and 1956 the property was owned by Fred McFeely, grandfather of Fred Rogers of children's television fame. McFeely, a wealthy industrialist from Latrobe, PA, utilized the property as a retreat. His estate featured a cottage, horse stables, a three car garage, outbuildings and a swimming area in the creek above the falls. Mr. Rogers often visited the site as a child. Stone foundations and retaining walls from the estate are visible at the site.
Conemaugh Valley Conservancy
Hollsopple, PA 15935
Phone: 814-479-7162
conemaughvalleyconservancy.org
Our Mission: Promoting the conservation and preservation of natural, cultural and historic resources and encouraging prudent land-use practices in the Kiski-Conemaugh River Basin. By, restoring and enhancing land and water-based natural resources. Promoting citizen environmental stewardship through low impact recreation.
Double Diamond Deer Ranch
Clarington, PA 15828
Phone: 814-752-6334
http://www.doublediamonddeerranch.com
Double Diamond Deer Ranch, located near Cook Forest State Park, offers a wonderful place to learn about whitetail deer. The ranch is home to brown, albino, piebald and white whitetail deer. All of the deer have lived at the ranch since they were fawns. The Buck Barn is a hunters "dream come true" and a great way to learn about animals. The Buck Barn contains over 100 mounted animals. Everything from a mouse to a moose. As the deer at the Double Diamond Deer Ranch pass away, they are mounted and spend their days in the Buck Barn. The Double Diamond Deer Ranch also offers Indoor Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf, a Gift Shop and Flea Market.
Friends of the Parks
Elderton, PA 15736
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
An extensive series of nature programs is offered by Friends of the Parks. Friends of the Parks is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality environmental education programs in the Indiana County Parks system and at Yellow Creek State Park. These programs are provided through member support and are offered year round, free of charge.Friends of Yellow Creek
Penn Run, PA 15765
http://www.foyc.org
Friends of Yellow Creek aims to include visitors in conserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural, educational, and recreational resources of the park.
Hemlock Lake
Johnsonburg, PA
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
The 205 acre park, located in northeastern Indiana County in Banks Township, features a 60 acre lake with two boat launches and ares for picnicking, hunting, hiking, fishing and ice fishing. Two pavilions, at the park, are available on a first-come first-serve basis. The lake is stocked with bluegill, bass, catfish, muskellunge, walleye and northern pike. Fishermen may moor their boats at the park following regulations established by the Fish & boat Commission. Only electric motors and hand propelled boats are permitted.Indiana County Parks and Trails
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: 724-463-8636
Fax: 724-463-8740
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
Visit one of the 3 regional parks, three historic sites, two natural areas and two trails. Open year round. Indiana County Parks & Trails is a natural resource-based park system located in west central Pennsylvania. We operate 2,600 acres of parks, natural areas and historic sites along with an extensive regional trail system.
The Indiana County Park system offers year-round facilities and activities for your use and enjoyment including an extensive environmental education program series.
Our county parks and trails offer the chance to play, relax, improve your health and fitness and explore the natural world. We encourage and invite you to discover Indiana County Parks & Trails!
Memorial Park
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
Although the smallest of the County Parks, Memorial Park is one of the most historic sites within Indiana County. Originally surveyed in 1774, the site was once a church cemetery. Many graves are still located in the park. During the Civil War, the site served as a hiding place for travelers of the Underground Railroad. The park's doughboy statue was erected in 1923 by a group of citizens led by Alex Stewart, father of the actor James Stewart. Nearby, is the Clark House and former Armory building, now home of the Indiana County Historical and Genealogical Society.
Old Smicksburg Park
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
Old Smicksburg Park is a 33-acre park located in Smicksburg Borough, in northwestern Indiana County. Since its establishment in 1827, Smicksburg has undergone significant changes. The park provides an opportunity to preserve the history of Smicksburg, interpret life of an early American village and provide an area for outdoor recreation. The park offers hiking trails for walking, birding and wildflower study. It also has picnic tables, portable restroom and a canoe or kayak access to the Little Mahoning Creek.
Pine Ridge Park
Blairsville, PA 15717
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
At 635 acres, Pine Ridge Park provides a variety of recreation options. Much of the park remains in a natural state with large stands of mature hardwoods. Tom's Run, a scenic mountain stream, intersects the park. Several miles of hiking and cross-country skiing trails traverse the park. It is also home to a 9-hole, recreational disc golf course. The Tom's Run area features picnic tables, grills, playgrounds, restrooms, and two pavilions available for rental. Pine Lodge is located in the southern portion of the park. The lodge is available for group rental and is used for reunions, meetings, weddings, receptions, and other social gatherings. Pine Lodge features a kitchen, restrooms, activity rooms, a deck and two stone fireplaces. A two-acre pond is available for catch-and-release fishing. A playground is also located near the Lodge.
Saltsburg Canal Park / Saltsburg Borough
Saltsburg, PA 15681
Phone: 724-639-9413
http://www.visitsaltsburg.com
Located within Saltsburg Borough, is the Saltsburg Canal Park. Visitors will enjoy a miniature waterfall, scenic walkway, footbridge and picnic tables. In November 1986, the canal site and Saltsburg's architectural district were selected for development by the National Park Service and on October 2, 1989, the Saltsburg council voted unanimously to approve the site concept plan for the redesign and development of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal Park.
The River's Edge Canoe & Kayak, LLC
Leechburg, PA 15656
Phone: 724-845-9501
http://www.the-rivers-edge.com
The River's Edge Canoe & Kayak, LLC is a canoe/kayak sales and rental store with a full service bait and tackle shop. It is located along the Kiski River just outside of Leechburg, PA. Trips are available from a variety of locations from Avonmore to Schenley. Livery service is available for renters as well as boat owners. Open March - November. Come paddle with us! The Kiski River was named the "PA River of the Year" in 2000. This is one of the best kept secrets for small mouth bass, walleye and perch. The Kiski River is stocked for trout, and catfish abound!Waterworks Conservation Area
Phone: 724-463-8636
http://www.indianacountyparks.org
This 10-acre site, located adjacent to Two Lick Creek, is approximately 3 miles south of Indiana, PA. The site is being developed to combine recreational opportunities with an environmental remediation project. The conservation area will include a pavilion with an observation deck, canoe and kayak launch, fishing, trail circuit around wetlands with interpretive signage, path along Two Lick Creek, public restrooms and parking area.
White Township Recreation Complex/S&T Bank Arena
Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: 724-465-2665
http://www.whitetownship.org/rec
This recreational facility, located along East Pike Road in Indiana, PA, consists of a 50-acre complex. It includes four full-size baseball fields, including a 500-seat grandstand on one ball field, two soccer fields, a playground, walking trails, tennis courts, concession stand, restroom facilities, parking, two basketball courts, a picnic area and a seniors area. In addition, the S&T Bank Arena offers a variety of community based programs and services including public ice skating, ice skating lessons, and Learn to Play hockey lessons. The facility houses a turf arena, full ice arena, batting cage, and meeting/party rooms.
Yellow Creek State Park
Penn Run, PA 15765
Phone: 724-357-7913
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
The 2,981-acre Yellow Creek State Park is in Indiana County along one of the first "highways" in the state, the Kittanning Path. Visitors will enjoy the sand beach, picnicking, fishing, boating, hunting and the educational programs. The 720-acre Yellow Creek Lake is a destination for boaters and anglers. The lake and park are an important rest stop for migrating birds. The park is named for Yellow and Little Yellow creeks, which create the lake. The creeks have lots of yellow clay in the banks and bottoms. The park is also the site of three hiking trails and 20 miles of single track mountain bicycle trails. Seasonal camping is available at one of the parks' 6 cottages or 4 yurts. During the winter months, the park provides ice fishing, sledding, snowmobiling in the 350-acre designated area, ice skating, ice boating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. In addition, there are several geocaches located in the park.
